Project introduction

Introducing clearways, cycle and pedestrian footpaths, and a flush median to reduce congestion and queuing on Curletts Road between Main South Road and Blenheim Road, and on the surrounding streets.

  • Estimated project dates

    Jan 2015–Jul 2015
  • Estimated project cost

    $2 million
  • Project type

    Road management
  • Project status

    Completed

Project updates

Curletts Road project update – May 2015
Project updates, (PDF)
Curletts Road project flyer
Project posters, (PDF)
Curletts Road project update – January 2015
Project updates, (PDF)
Curletts Road project update – August 2014
Project updates, (PDF)
Curletts Road project update – February 2014
Project updates, (PDF)

Purpose

Curletts Road (SH73) is an important link in the Christchurch and Canterbury transport network. Increased traffic numbers and changed traffic patterns since the earthquakes are putting too much pressure on Curletts Road and at peak times it has more traffic than it can accommodate, resulting in long queues at peak times. This project aims to reduce congestion and queuing.

Benefits

The benefits of this project are:

  • reduced congestion
  • improved road safety.

About the project

Three main options were developed to address congestion and queuing on Curletts Road.

The community were asked for their suggestions and feedback on these options in mid-2013. The ideas and information we collected during the consultation were used to help us shape the final design for Curletts Road. We would like to thank all those who took the time to provide feedback – all your ideas and views are valuable to us.

The option chosen for Curletts Road includes:

  • clearways that operate as traffic lanes during the morning and evening peak periods and as a parking lane at all other times of the day
  • shared cycle and pedestrian footpaths
  • a wide painted median (flush media) to cater for turning vehicles
  • a cross-section can be viewed in the January 2015 Update [PDF, 1.5 MB]

This option most closely matches Option 2 from our August 2013 newsletter [PDF, 3.7 MB]. This was by far the most popular option for Curletts Road.

Temporary measures were put in place in 2011: an additional traffic lane (a tidal lane) was provided which changes direction depending on the time of day. It is controlled by manually shifting a line of cones twice a day. This solution has been acceptable in the short-term, but it is expensive and only partially effective at addressing the congestion on Curletts Road.